For Iowans who dislike the quadrennial barrage of political ads leading up to the Iowa caucuses, there may be some good news: The total of $487,000 spent so far at the Des Moines CBS and NBC affiliates is a trickle compared to the nearly $8.6 million paid to those stations in the 2008 caucus cycle, $3.6 million of it by Republicans.

Candidates spent $38,935 at WOI-TV and $15,400 at KDSM-FOX this year. Ron Paul spent the vast majority at those stations, with $31,960 between both WOI and KDSM.

One key factor is an incumbent president. Since Barack Obama is seeking re-election, there is only one competitive contest instead of two, noted Drake University political professor Dennis Goldford, co-author of “The Iowa Precinct Caucuses,” a book that tracks ad spending at KCCI-TV and WHO-TV in Des Moines over several cycles.

But another factor is that Republican presidential candidates have less money in the bank this cycle. In 2007 at this time, the GOP candidates collectively had almost $43 million on hand. This year, it’s about $37 million, the Register’s review of public records shows. And 90 percent of the cash on hand at the end of September was held by three candidates: Paul, with almost $3.7 million; former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, with almost $14.7 million; and Perry, with $15.1 million.

In 2007 at this time, former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani led the GOP pack with $16.6 million in cash on hand. Five Republican candidates had $3 million or more.

“No matter how unpopular, it’s tough to beat an incumbent president,” Goldford said in discussing the lag in commercials and relatively sparse Republican campaign coffers at this point in the cycle.

An argument can be made that TV campaign advertising isn’t as effective in Iowa as it is in more populous states because Iowans expect retail politics — seeing their candidates at the local fire station or restaurant, hearing them speak and shaking their hand, Goldford said. And campaign organization is critically important to turn out voters on caucus night, he said.

Nonetheless, many campaign operatives think TV ads can help frame a candidate’s message, he said.

“It can’t hurt. Now, how much can it help? That’s the big question,” Goldford said.

Paul’s campaign plans to continue advertising until the Jan. 3 Iowa caucuses because it’s a key element to the campaign’s overall approach, said spokesman Jesse Benton.

“We’re very blessed with strong fundraising, and we plan to keep it up,” Benton said. “We don’t want to be one of the candidates who surges and then falls off.”

Romney four years ago was the biggest Republican TV spender by the end of the cycle. His campaign spent $1.4 million at the two stations, Goldford and co-author Hugh Winebrenner report in the latest edition of their book. So far this year, Romney’s campaign has purchased no ads, station records show.

Romney staffers declined to comment on whether he plans TV ads in Iowa ahead of the caucuses.

Although the remaining candidates have less money at the ready than Perry, Romney or Paul, Iowans shouldn’t count them out from entering the TV ad war, Goldford said. He pointed to Michele Bachmann, a U.S. representative from Minnesota who is banking on a strong Iowa finish. One strategy for her could be to pump almost every dime left into ads, he said.

Bachmann’s campaign declined to comment.

“It’s the political equivalent of a Hail Mary pass,” Goldford said, referring to a football play made in desperation that could mean victory but carries a small chance at success.